Prayer Message from Pastor Brad
United in Prayer
As we spend time together in prayer, I want to encourage you to do a few things:
- Find a place to be quiet, if possible the same place each day (whispering spot – ask me about it one day)
- Pray with your Bible open
- I’ll give you some ideas to focus on and some Scripture to read (or listen to using an audio Bible)
- Meditate and pray – wait on God
- Bring other prayers to God (loved ones etc.)
Confidential Personal Prayer Request
Your personal prayer request will be sent directly to Pastor Brad and will prayed for specifically and will be kept confidential.
Prayer Focus – Praise
God – Father, Son & Holy Spirit
God – Creator, Redeemer & Sustainer
John 1:1-5
Psalm 95:1-7
Luke 1:68-9
Revelation 15:3-4
Prayer Focus – Assurance of Salvation
Give thanks to God that our salvation and our future is secure in His hands:
Isaiah 53:5-6
John 3:16-17
Romans 5:1-2
Romans 5:8-9
Romans 6:10-11
2 Corinthians 5:21
Ephesians 2:4-5
Colossians 1:21-22
Revelations 1:5-6
Prayer Focus – God is our Shepherd
Focus on God as our Shepherd
The Bible uses many terms, types and word pictures to help us to understand God. One special one is that God is our SHEPHERD.
Take time to reflect on God as your SHEPHERD. Respond to what you learn and experience as you pray.
John 10:3-5, 9-11, 14-15
3The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. 5 They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice.”
9Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. 10The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. 11“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.
14“I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, 15 just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep.
Psalm 23:1 – 6
The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
2 He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.
3 He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honour to his name.
4 Even when I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.
5 You prepare a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies.
You honour me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.
6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
forever.
Prayer Focus – Confession
Confession that Jesus is our Lord and Saviour
Romans 10:9
Joshua 24:15
Revelation 5:9-10
Revelation 15:3-4
Confessing our sin – Cleaning house – Life – home – church
1 John 1:9
Psalms 86:5
Isaiah 1:18
Isaiah 43:25
Isaiah 44:22
James 1:21
Prayer Focus – Forgive Others
Jesus said, “It is impossible that no offenses should come.” (Luke 17:1) You and I will encounter offence, we will be wronged by others, but in that place, how we respond and what we do with how we have been treated will affect our relationship with God. Our response will determine our future. If offense is handled correctly, we will become stronger rather than bitter. Lets focus on ensuring that we have surrendered any offence done to us and forgive on another to ensure we are in right relationship with God.
Matthew 6:12 “And forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.”
Matthew 6:14-15 “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
Colossians 3:12-13 “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Prayer Focus – Persistence in prayer
The Psalmist writes: “I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.” (Psalm 16:8) There are all kinds of reasons that life gets hard, but God’s Word reminds us that if we press into Him we will find the strength, not only to endure, but to overcome. Spend time remembering the promises that strengthen our resilience and faith.
Galatians 6:9
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”
Exodus 18:23
“God will direct you, you will be able to endure.”
2 Corinthians 4:8
“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.”
Romans 12:21
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Philippians 4:13
“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
1 Chronicles 16:11
“Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!”
Romans 12:12
“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”
Isaiah 40:”29
“He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.”
James 1:12
“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”
Psalm 16:8
“I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.”
Prayer Focus – Intercession
One of our primary privileges as children of God, is that we are His representatives, His ambassadors in the world. We represent God before everyone.
You are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9)
With that responsibility comes a commitment to holiness (not perfection, though we strive to be like Christ). In this focus on being united in prayer, we are going to be focused on intercession. We will continue coming to God in prayer and as we do, we will be praying:
- for the lost, that they will be convicted of their sin and humble themselves before God and find salvation
“I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.” 1 Timothy 2:1
- for rulers and authorities
“Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.” 1 Timothy 2:2
- for the Saints, that is all our Christians brothers and sisters throughout the world
Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. Ephesians 6:18
Prayer Focus – Holy of Holies
In our focus on prayer over the next few days be reminded about the relationship and the welcome we have to enter the most holy place. In the Old Testament, only the High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies, and then only once per year on the Day of Atonement after a significant cleansing. The book of Hebrews reminds us:
14 So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. 15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Heb 4:14 – 16
So not because of worthiness, but because we have been made righteous by faith in Christ Jesus, we are welcome, anytime, all the time, in the presence of God our Father. Spend time in His presence, loving and worshipping Him.
“‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. Matt 22:37-38